Audi Crooks scored 20 points, Addy Brown had 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, and No. 14 Iowa State beat St. Thomas-Minnesota 85-36 on Monday for its NCAA-leading 31st straight season-opening victory.
Wide Receiver Joel Wyatt Honored as a 2026 Navy All-American
Wide receiver Joel Wyatt (Murfreesboro, Tennessee/ Oakland High School) was officially honored as a 2026 Navy All-American by America’s Navy and NBC Sports representatives during a live jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.
While NHL Shootouts Remain Polarizing, Penalty Shots Are Still Exciting
The shootout doesn't have the same luster as it used to when it was first introduced to solve ties in the NHL in 2005-06.
When teams are hosting 41 home games a year (and starting next season, 42), they need a mechanism to ensure games have a finite ending point rather than endless hours of overtime. That’s what shootouts guarantee in a way no other end-game solution can. Fans deserve a game-winner in a reasonable period of time during the regular season.
That said, it’s clear the shine is off the bumper for shootouts. It’s a non-team-based solution that narrows things down to a goalie and a few shooters. So, of course, people are going to want games to end before they reach the shootout stage.
That said, another 1-on-1 competition is just as exciting as always despite happening less often than it used to.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman brought up an interesting point on Saturday about penalty shots. He voiced his concern that on-ice officials aren’t calling enough penalty shots – and recent statistics bear that out.
Last season, there were 32 penalty shot attempts in the NHL. That’s the fewest in an 82-game season since 2000-01. The 2023-24 season saw 49 penalty shots, compared to 52 in 2022-23. Dating back to 2005-06, which saw a season-high 103 penalty shots, the average number of attempts in a season is 54.
Friedman mentioned some examples from Saturday's action that were or should have been penalty shots. On one play between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, Juraj Slafkovsky received a minor penalty for holding when he and two teammates were "hacking and whacking" at Senators center Shane Pinto, who had a breakaway. Meanwhile, Tim Stutzle hooked Lane Hutson while the Habs defenseman was on a breakaway, and he did receive a penalty shot, igniting the crowd.
You can decide for yourself whether the fewer penalty shots last season were a result of referees being less liberal in calling them, or whether players are more disciplined. In any case, Saturday was an example of how we could have seen at least one more attempt that engages the viewer and can change the game.
We should encourage the NHL to instruct referees to be more open to calling penalty shots, which is "designed to restore a scoring opportunity which was lost as a result of an infraction being committed by the offending team," according to the NHL rulebook.
The four conditions that must be met to call a penalty shot are that the infraction must have taken place in the neutral zone or attacking zone, it must have been committed from behind, the player who had possession of the puck was denied a reasonable chance to score, and there must have been no opposing player between the player with the puck and the goaltender.
In Pinto's case, the only opponent he had in front of him was the goalie, and while he had the puck, Slafkovsky held him up in the neutral zone. There are almost certainly other situations like this one on a weekly and monthly basis that met the criteria for a penalty shot and yet were called something else.
It seems somewhat obvious to say it, but empowering the officials to hand out penalty shots on rush attempts that are bogged down by obstruction is a great thing. And remember, the NHL is in the entertainment business. What’s more entertaining than a penalty shot? (Haha, very funny, everyone who tried to answer that question with “a cycle game that leads to a blocked shot.” We see you.)
If you hate shootouts, we get it. Hockey is a team sport, so team-based ends to hockey games make most people happy. But while a penalty shot is virtually the exact same element of the game that a shootout is, the difference has to do with the timing of it.
You could get a penalty shot as soon as the game begins, and that would lead to terrific drama as teams get out of the gate. A late-game penalty shot also could decide the winner. And if referees do get more liberal with penalty shots, you could also, in theory, get multiple penalty shots in the same game. Dare to dream.
Last season, there were only seven penalty shot goals, the lowest total in that department since 1995-96. That may be an outlier, but it should be concerning for league officials. Penalty shots always are on highlight reels, and the NHL should want more of that, wherever they can get it.
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Defensive Back Honor Fa’alave-Johnson Honored as a 2026 Navy All-American
Defensive back Honor Fa’alave-Johnson (San Diego, California/ Cathedral Catholic High School) was officially honored as a 2026 Navy All-American by America’s Navy and NBC Sports representatives during a live jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.
Wide Receiver Jayden Warren Honored as a 2026 Navy All-American
Wide receiver Jayden Warren (Iowa Colony, Texas/ Iowa Colony High School) was officially honored as a 2026 Navy All-American by America’s Navy and NBC Sports representatives during a live jersey presentation as part of the Road to the Dome tour.
What can we learn from first CFP bracket? How 2024’s reveal compared to final rankings
Tuesday's CFP bracket reveal will provide the best barometer yet of where the selection committee sees this year's contenders.
Left-hander Dietrich Enns stays with Orioles for one-year deal worth $2,625,000
BALTIMORE — Left-hander Dietrich Enns and the Baltimore Orioles agreed Monday to a one-year contract guaranteeing $2,625,000.
Enns gets a $2.5 million salary for 2026 and the deal includes a $3.5 million team option for 2027 with a $125,000 buyout. Enns has the right to become a free agent at the end of the contract.
Baltimore had a $3 million option for 2026 as part of the contract he signed for 2025, which included a $1.25 million salary while in the major leagues and a $210,000 salary while in the minors. He could have become a free agent had the option been declined.
Enns, 34. made his major league debut with Minnesota in 2017 and pitched for Toronto in 2021. He played for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League in 2022 and ’23 and for the LG Twins in South Korea in 2024. He then signed a minor league contract in January with Detroit that called for a $1.25 million salary while in the major leagues and a $210,000 salary while in the minors. He could have become a free agent had the option been declined.
He was brought up by the Tigers on June 26 and traded to the Orioles on July 31. Enns went 3-3 with a 4.08 ERA in three starts and 21 relief appearances.
In new era of college hoops rosters, $20.5 million salary cap feels more like suggestion than rule
With schools now allowed to shell out $20.5 million to their players this year, most are doling out the lion’s share to football players and giving whatever’s left to the hoops stars.
The College Football Playoff tweaked its strength of schedule metric. Will that help?
The CFP committee will announce its first weekly rankings on Tuesday night. The final rankings setting the 12-team field come out Dec. 7.
Dodgers celebrate historic back-to-back World Series titles with downtown parade, stadium rally
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani and the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their second straight World Series championship with a downtown parade and stadium rally Monday after becoming the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back titles.
“Hello, hello,” Ohtani said, speaking in English at a sold out Dodger Stadium. “I want to say I’m so proud of this team. I want to say you guys are the greatest fans in the world. I’m ready to get another ring next year. Let’s go.”
Ohtani was accompanied by his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, who took a photo of him along the parade route. Last year, Ohtani carried his dog, Decoy, in his arms on the bus.
“It’s really nice to be able to win the game, and to be surrounded by all these amazing fans,” Ohtani said during the bus ride. “I’m really taking it in and enjoying it.”
World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto wore a black T-shirt with World Series champions on the front. Wearing sunglasses and a backward baseball cap, Yamamoto waved to fans.
“Losing isn’t an option,” Yamamoto told the stadium crowd in English. “To my teammates, my coaches, amazing staff and all the fans, we did it together. I love the Dodgers. I love Los Angeles.”
The team’s third Japanese player, rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki, celebrated his 24th birthday Monday.
Players walked a blue carpet from center field to a circular blue stage.
“What they talking about in Toronto right now?” actor-comedian Anthony Anderson asked the crowd. “They’re talkin’ about nothing.”
A woman in the crowd wore a blue T-shirt reading “Let’s ruin baseball.”
“I got four. Fill the hand all the way up, baby,” said Mookie Betts, who won a title with the Boston Red Sox and three with the Dodgers. “Three-peat has never sounded so sweet. Somebody make that a T-shirt.”
Rapper-actor Ice Cube drove a bright blue convertible around the warning track with the Commissioner’s Trophy in the front passenger seat. He carried it overhead to the stage and set it on a table next to a table with last year’s championship hardware.
Kiké Hernández apologized in advance for his expletive-filled comments.
“My teammates have been pretty humble, but I think it’s time to talk that s—-,” he said. “Everybody’s been asking questions about a dynasty. How about three in six years? We’re a motherf——in’ dynasty, baby.”
Earlier, manager Dave Roberts hoisted the trophy while aboard one of several buses that traversed a route packed with cheering, flag-waving blue-clad fans. “B 2 B” read one of many hand-lettered signs held up.
“I feel like it’s almost double from last year,” Freddie Freeman said. “These fans are crazy. It’s so awesome to be a part of this.”
Blue-and-white confetti blew from a truck rolling between the buses, which were filled with family members of the players, including newly retired Clayton Kershaw and his four children.
“It’s the perfect way to be done,” said Kershaw, who ended an 18-year career played entirely with Los Angeles. “I know the Dodgers have always meant a lot to this city for generations. For us to get to do this in front of them, it means the world to me and all the rest of the guys.”
Pitcher Blake Snell made the 6-7 gesture with his hands, signifying the Dodgers’ wins over the Toronto Blue Jays in Games 6 and 7.
“This is lit,” Snell said. “I love it.”
A bare-chested Hernández filmed the throngs with a hand-held camera.
“Winners win,” he said. “I hope these Dodger fans have a lot of fun because they deserve this. They showed up all year long, they supported us and here we are back-to-back champs.”
Atlanta Braves hire Walt Weiss as their manager, succeeding Brian Snitker
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves hired Walt Weiss on Monday as their manager, promoting from within for the successor to 2021 World Series winner Brian Snitker.
Weiss has been the Braves’ bench coach since 2018 and was on Snitker’s staff four years ago when they won the fourth championship in franchise history. Snitker also was an internal hire, coming from Triple-A in 2016, when he replaced Fredi González midseason and then got the full-time job the following year.
This is Weiss’ second major league managing job after four seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2013-16). Weiss finished his playing career as a shortstop with Atlanta from 1998-2000.
Snitker, who turned 70 last month, announced in early October that he would not be returning for an 11th year with the club. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said at the time that he did not have a list of candidates but wanted to move quickly to make a hire.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will not play for Lakers vs. Trail Blazers
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will miss the Lakers’ game in Portland on Monday as the team ruled both out with injuries.
One night after recording a 29-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist triple-double, Doncic is out to manage a lower leg contusion. Reaves, who scored 26 points and 11 assists in the Lakers’ 130-120 win over the Miami Heat, is out with right groin soreness.
This will be the fourth game Doncic has missed this season as he was also sidelined with a minor finger injury and a left leg contusion.
Read more:Luka Doncic drops triple-double to power Lakers to victory over Heat
Playing in their second back-to-back of the season, the Lakers will again be short-handed. They had seven standard contract players when they hosted the Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back last week. Portland won 122-108 as Reaves attempted to carry the team with 41 points.
The Lakers could also be without Deandre Ayton, who is questionable with back spasms. He missed Sunday's game after experiencing pain last Friday in Memphis.
Forward Maxi Kleber was upgraded to questionable with an abdominal strain that has kept him sidelined all season.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sunderland 1-1 Everton: Premier League – as it happened
Iliman Ndiaye’s sensational solo goal was cancelled out by Granit Xhaka in a hard-fought game at the Stadium of Light
7 min Dewsbury-Hall gets to the byline in the area and screws the ball back towards Ndiaye at the near post. His shot is blocked, as is Barry’s follow-up.
6 min Now Sunderland are enjoying their first decent spell of possession. A sinuous run from Traroe gets the crowd excited before the move breaks down. Everton counter and Dewsbury-Hall’s long through pass towards Barry is cut out by the last defender, Mukiele I think.
Continue reading...Jason Zucker And Jiri Kulich Absent From Sabres Practice
The Buffalo Sabres continue their three-game homestand against JJ Peterka and the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday On Saturday, the Sabres played without winger Zach Benson, who was struggling with a lower-body injury. At practice on Monday, the club skated without another two forwards.
Center Jiri Kulich and veteran winger Jason Zucker and c were not on the ice at KeyBank Center on Monday. Kulich saw only one shift in the third period of the Sabres 4-3 shootout victory over Washington, while Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Zucker was battling an illness.
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"Kulich is just dealing with an issue that couldn't play through. Zucker is sick, so I think he's doubtful for tomorrow too," Ruff said. "We've got some roster stuff we definitely have to talk about the next hour or so to make a decision....I'm gonna say I don't think Zucker is gonna feel well enough to play and then we've got one other guy that we don't know, so we're gonna have to take a hard look at what we can do."
Buffalo called up winger Isak Rosen for Saturday’s game and the Rochester Americans leading scorer continued his offensive production by registering his first NHL goal in the first period, beating Washington’s Charlie Lindgren. Based on the possible lack of availability of Zucker and Kulich, it is possible that the Sabres insert Mason Geersten on the fourth line, and may have to recall center Noah Ostlund for the second time. If not, it is possible that Ruff goes with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
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Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck returns to practice in non-contact jersey
Vincent Trocheck has taken a big step towards his potential return from an upper-body injury suffered just two games into the regular season.
The scrappy top line center was finally able to get back out there when the Rangers hit the ice for Monday's practice, skating with the team for the first time in a non-contact jersey.
Trocheck hasn’t been activated from LTIR yet, but he is eligible whenever deemed ready.
His presence is encouraging but doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as he was said to have made significant progress while the Rangers were out of town on their Western swing.
It remains to be seen when exactly Trocheck will be able to work his way back into the starting lineup, but Monday was certainly a significant step towards that goal.
Getting him back out there will be a huge boost for the Rangers, who have rattled off three consecutive wins.
“Just his presence around the group means the world,” Mike Sullivan said. “Just his leadership and his energy. The fact that he joined the group today is gonna suggest that he’s getting closer, so it’s great that he’s back out there.”